Elegant Afternoon" is a finely detailed study, embellished with rich reds for the palate and the eye. Christensen gives wine country romance a fresh look and a warm feeling with this watercolor painting. He captures hundreds of red hues from the sun-dappled leaves of a Japanese maple to the succulent bunch of grapes. The premium wines he has chosen for this piece are among Napa’s finest, and set the tone for a first-rate experience to follow. The contrasting textures illuminated by the afternoon light evokes a sense warmth.

Eric Christensen began painting professionally in 1992. Since that time he has enjoyed amazing success and a growing reputation as a celebrated Wine Country Artist. Self-taught, he invented a watercolor technique that allows him to create images of vibrant color that go beyond the look and depth of a high quality photograph. Christensen now finds himself unique in his field. In fact he is the only known artist capable of hyperrealism through the use of standard watercolor.
Christensen began to develop his interest in painting, as well as botany, classical music, and gourmet cooking as a child in Salt Lake City, Utah. Over time he has acquired a commanding knowledge in each of these fields, which has blended to make him the preeminent artist of today. In addition to his interests, Christensen also derives inspiration from the wine country surrounding his home which is invariably portrayed in his paintings. As Christensen asserts, “it’s about the lifestyle”.
Once he realized that he could concentrate his passion for painting into a career, Christensen opened his own Art Gallery in Yountville, California, a small picturesque town in the heart of the Napa Valley. This venture proved very successful netting Christensen exposure in national magazines and newspapers and a national television spot on “WINE COUNTRY LIVING”. Christensen, however, decided to close his gallery in 2003, allowing him to devote his full attention to painting. Christensen continues to paint stunning images that remind us of the Wine Country lifestyle and delight those who collect his art. He now offers his extraordinary artwork in galleries throughout the US.
Christensen’s “wine art”” begins where most contemporary wine artists leave off. Eric loves to capture the romance of the wine country, which he points out, , “is so much more than just the wine”. Collectors of Christensen’s art typically own several of his creations and enjoy the varied themes they portray; lifelike landscapes and intimate still life paintings that incorporate a variety of elements including food, flowers or fruit with appropriate background settings.